Kayak Instruction
Last Updated 5/5/10
The earth is 3/4 water, don’t limit yourself to 1/4 of the fun! We offer a variety of classes and clinics for beginners and veteran paddlers. Small class sizes with an expert instructor help you learn faster!
Our classes are designed to maximize your learning potential and minimize your time and money output. On average we offer the smallest class sizes around to make sure you get the most one-on-one instruction possible. Your kayaking questions get answered by professional instructors who take the time to listen to your needs.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Debit, personal checks and offer payment plans. Please call or email for our convenient dates and times.
INSTRUCTORS We have the most qualified, most experienced and most awesome instructors in the region:
Deb Volturno – has been a respected sea kayaking instructor for more than 20 years and an accomplished sea kayaker for nearly 3 decades. She holds the highest level of instructor certification in sea kayaking by the American Canoe Association (Level 5 Instructor Trainer Educator), and is the only ACA Instructor Trainer in Surf Kayaking in the Pacific NW. Beyond the certifications Deb’s passion for sea kayaking is contagious as she shares her expertise with students of all levels from beginner to certifying instructors. She says, “My goal in teaching kayaking is to increase the number of paddling buddies I can go play with on the water!” She has been a member of the US Surf Kayak Team, and is the only woman with an officer ranking in the Tsunami Rangers, an elite group of extreme kayakers. Deb particularly enjoys exploring exposed coastal waters anywhere in the world, when she is not teaching high school science and math in Port Angeles.
David Bosworth – started kayaking 11 years ago and has worked for ORK for the last 5 years. Before David started kayaking he spent 10 years as a whitewater canoeist and 4 years guiding and instructing on Mt Baker, Rainier and other peaks for a prestigious climbing company. When not working he can usually be found on the water perfecting his skills and exploring the coastline.
John Palmer – has been an obsessive sea kayaker for about 10 years. He’s on the water 4-5 times a week, and when there are waves you can be sure he’s in the line-up in his surf kayak. John has been teaching sea kayaking for about 6 years. His energetic nature is an asset in his kayak classes, and his strengths come from remembering that becoming a proficient kayaker wasn’t always easy for him, he had to work at it. John’s commitment to being a quality instructor is evident in the feedback from the students. He loves sharing his enthusiasm for the sport.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
This is a great way to learn skills quickly from excellent instructors. We offer instruction in Eskimo Rolling, Rescue Skills, Paddling Techniques, Surf Zone, Surfing, and much more. Private instruction includes all of the necessary equipment. one person $40/hr, two people $25/hr per person, three to four people $20/hr per person.
INTRODUCTION TO SEA KAYAKING
Our extensive series of weekly classes (seven in all) cover a wide range of kayaking skills with a professional instructor (or two). You will be learning the basics including kayak design, equipment, dress, paddling techniques and safety techniques all in an informal and fun atmosphere. By the end of the series you should feel comfortable paddling on or local lakes, bays and other sheltered waters. We provide all the necessary equipment.
Next Class: Offered Spring, Summer and Fall Quarters through Peninsula College. These classes will be held 3 hours a day, once a week for 7 weeks. Call us for more details or call Peninsula College to register at 452-9277. The college charges approx. $75 for this 20 hour class. Rental fees for the quarter for all equipment is $75 or no charge if you have all of your own equipment.
INTERMEDIATE SEA KAYAKING
A follow-up class to the Intro to Sea Kayaking class & beyond. Review your kayaking skills and begin developing new ones as we practice and polish paddle strokes, learn the powerful applications of edging techniques, and delve into the process of decision-making and problem solving on the water. We’ll also cover eskimo rolling, navigation, towing, tides and currents chart reading and more. This course is designed to enhance your paddling skills, in addition to developing the mental skills and judgement for safer kayaking. 16 hours total instruction Fee: $175 + $15 rental of kayak/gear and $5 rental of wetsuit/booties each class.
Next Class: September, 2010
Instructor: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Advanced Open Water)
ESKIMO ROLLING
Learn how to roll faster in a controlled environment. We’ll show you the correct techniques to learn the eskimo roll so you can stay in your kayak.
Fee: Private, one-on-one instruction $40/hr., two people $25/hr each.
Available at your convenience. Call for an appointment.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SURF ZONE (Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5) and TBA) The surf zone is the best training ground for learning kayak handling skills, plus if you ever have to negotiate through a surf zone for a paddling adventure this training is essential. This is also the first class to take if you eventually want to learn to surf in your kayak. We will spend some beach time discussing wave dynamics and safety before we begin practicing on the water. The focus of the class will be on reading the water, landing and launching safely in a surf zone, bracing skills and edging. (Please note that any Intro to Surf Zone class held on the coast at Hobuck is still a beginning surf zone class and is scheduled there because waves on the Strait are not reliable this time of year.) Prerequisite: beginning kayak class and comfortable doing a wet exit. Required for the class: wetsuit or drysuit and a helmet. If you are using your own kayak it MUST have RELIABLE flotation. Both closed cockpit and sit-on-top sea kayaks are welcome. TWO INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Next Class: Sunday, May 9th 2010 meet at ORK at 10:15, Class 11-2 at Crescent Beach $50
Sunday May 16th, 2010 meet at Hobuck Beach dressed ready to start at noon, Class noon-4pm $65
Thursday June 10th, 2010 meet at ORK at 3:45, Class 4:30-7:30 at Crescent Beach $50
INTRODUCTION TO KAYAK SURFING (Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5 ) and TBA) This class is designed for those interested in learning to surf their kayak in the waves. We will spend time on the beach discussing wave dynamics, safety, and surf etiquette, before getting on the waves to practice bracing, ruddering, edging, and beginning surf maneuvers. This class open to all types of kayaks, but the more maneuverable whitewater and surf kayaks are encouraged. (*Please note that any Intro to Surf Kayak Class held on the coast at Hobuck Beach is still a beginning surf class and is scheduled there because waves on the Strait are not reliable this time of year.) TWO INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Prerequisite: beginning kayak class and comfortable doing a wet exit. An Intro to Surf Zone class is preferred. Required for the class: wetsuit or drysuit and a helmet. If you are using your own kayak it MUST have RELIABLE flotation.
Next Class: Tuesday, May 25th 2010 Meet at ORK at 3:15 pm, Class 4-7pm at Crescent Beach $50
Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Advanced Open Water) and TBA
KAYAK SURFING CLASS (ACA Level 2 and 3 inclusive) (Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5) Jameson Riser, Hamp All (both ACA Surf Kayak Instructor Level 3) This clinic is aimed at the intermediate or above paddler who has their own surf boat and who is interested in developing and practicing a robust set surf kayaking skills. We will cover safety and rescue skills, strokes, reading the waves, kayak surfing skills and techniques, as well as learning specific maneuvers like bottom turns, top turns, and spins. ACA certified surf kayak instructors will share their expertise of some 40+ years of collective surf kayaking experience. A roll is helpful for those in closed deck kayaks. The objective is to build skills and have fun playing in the waves in high performance surf kayaks. Equipment requirements: Cold water paddling gear – drysuit or wetsuit, PFD, helmet, paddle Boat requirement: Surf specific kayak (Sit-on-top or closed deck) THREE INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Next Class: June 19/20 4hrs each day – times TBA, Hobuck Beach, $150
ROCK GARDENING 1 & 2 (Instructors: Deb Volturno (ACA Instructor Trainer Educator Level 5) and TBA) Rock gardens are some of the most beautiful and dynamic environments to paddle. This class is for those drawn to get in close to the rocks to explore and to play. Learn about safety in rock gardens, how to read the water, and learn how to recognize hazards, play spots and transition areas. We will work on kayak handling skills and strokes to maneuver your kayak, in addition to using the movement of the water to get around. The goal is to “dance” in our kayaks, and avoid contact with the rocks!
The two rock garden classes scheduled are intended to be at different locations and although the skills we will be working on will be much the same, the experience will not be redundant. No day (or minute!) is the same in a rock garden! The intention is to build skills over the 2 classes. The 2 classes are not mutually exclusive, so feel free to take either or both!
Prerequisite: beginning kayak class and comfortable doing a wet exit. Required for the class: wetsuit or drysuit, a helmet, gloves. If you are using your own kayak it MUST have RELIABLE flotation. Both closed cockpit and sit-on-top sea kayaks are welcome. TWO INSTRUCTORS FOR SIX STUDENTS MAX.
Next Class: RG 1 Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 Meet at ORK at 3:15, Class 4-7pm at Freshwater Bay $50
Next Class: RG2 Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 Meet at ORK at 9:15 am, Class 10am-2pm at Crescent Beach $60
VEGETABLES FROM THE SEA – Introduction to wild edible seaweeds and shore-side plants.
Walk along the beach and rocky shores of beautiful Freshwater Bay and discover the world of “Sea Vegetables”. Mac Smith has been studying and teaching about edible plants and seaweeds for over 35 years and will introduce you to many land and sea plants (and invertebrates) as we forage for our luncheon cuisine. After our field trip we will learn how to cook with seaweeds and wild plants and create several delicious dishes using simple techniques and common ingredients. Mac will include several mini-lectures and bring a selection of field guides and teaching aids to help you investigate this world of “ethnobotany”- the study of the uses of plants by people.
If participants wish to collect seaweeds for themselves they must first purchase a shellfish gathering license.
You may bring a lunch, or join in with a potluck, Mac will be preparing several dishes for you to taste, including a soup, a salad, some snacks, a stir fry and a rice dish.
Next Class: Saturday, June 26th, 8 am-2 pm $39
INTRODUCTION TO STAND UP PADDLING (SUP) This two hour class will get you pumped for paddling a SUP. Even if you have bad balance or no agility this is an easy and fun way to enjoy the water. Rob will go over gear, how to carry a board, paddling techniques, how to rescue yourself and much, much more. All equipment and clothing provided. $20
Next Class: June, 2010
Instructor: Rob Casey, Author of guidebook on ‘Stand Up Paddling’ and Stand Up Paddling Blog
More classes will be added soon so stay tuned! Better yet, sign up for our email newsletter and get the information as it becomes available. Email us today to start receiving the goods!
